BLEEDING The principle of controlling blood loss is to restrict the flow of blood to the injured part by pressure and elevation, without stopping basic requirements of the body. SOME BLEEDING IS OK The act of bleeding actually helps clean out the wound. Of course, too much bleeding will cause the patient to lose ability to reason and then eventually to function altogether. Puncture wounds, for instance, pose another set of problems, as contaminants are probably inside of the wound, unable to naturally get out. LARGE BLEEDING If there is large bleeding (amounts large enough to start filling a glass), then there is concern for loss of life. The greatest worry is loss of blood. Take fresh paper towels or a fresh clean towel and wrap the wound tight enough to almost stop the bleeding. If the wound is on the head or midsection, hold over the wound, or if the wound is larger, put into the wound. It is not necessary to completely stop the bleeding, only to slow it up severely. Apply DIRECT PRESSURE on the wound. use a dressing, if available. if a dressing is not available, use a rag, towel, piece of clothing or your hand alone. IMPORTANT: ONCE PRESSURE IS APPLIED, KEEP IT IN PLACE. IF DRESSINGS BECOME SOAKED WITH BLOOD, APPLY NEW DRESSINGS OVER THE OLD DRESSINGS. THE LESS A BLEEDING WOUND IS DISTURBED, THE EASIER IT WILL BE TO STOP THE BLEEDING! If bleeding continues, and you do not suspect a fracture, ELEVATE the wound above the level of the heart and continue to apply direct pressure. If the bleeding still cannot be controlled, the next step is to apply PRESSURE AT A PRESSURE POINT. For wounds of the arms or hands, pressure points are located on the inside of the wrist ( radial artery-where a pulse is checked) or on the inside of the upper arm (brachial artery). For wounds of the legs, the pressure point is at the crease in the groin (femoral artery). Steps 1 and 2 should be continued with use of the pressure points. The final step to control bleeding is to apply a PRESSURE BANDAGE over the wound. Note the distinction between a dressing and a bandage. A dressing may be a gauze square applied directly to a wound, while a bandage, such as roll gauze, is used to hold a dressing in place. Pressure should be used in applying the bandage. After the bandage is in place, it is important to check the pulse to make sure circulation is not interrupted. When faced with the need to control major bleeding, it is not important that the dressings you will use are sterile! use whatever you have at hand and work fast! SMALL BLEEDING Bleeding is not much of a problem, only the proper care such as cleaning and perhaps, shots, and stiches can be prepared by medical professionals. Some time should be spent cleaning the wound, since there is little concern of serious blood loss. INTERNAL BLEEDING Many times, bleeding from auto accidents or falls will result in internal bleeding. There is little that can be done to stop this kind of bleeding. Keep the patient as calm as possible, with very little movement, and resting on their side or stomach. If they are resting on their back, watch for choking and breathing problems. Signs and symptoms of INTERNAL BLEEDING are: |
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